Insane Book About Life In The Middle Ages

Life in the 12th century was short, brutal, and freakin’ awesome!

Monster Snail Attacking Knight

Source: bl.uk

Some quick background. Versions of the above image have been floating around Tumblr for days because it’s hilarious. A quick reverse image search led me to the Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts.

Searching for “monster snail” pulls up the Latin version of the Decretals of Gregory IX written sometime in the late 13th or early 14 century during the reign of Pope Gregory IX.

So while this manuscript may be a collection of Catholic Church Law, for our intents and purposes it is a time travel tourist field guide.

So! 20 things to do and see while visiting medieval Europe include:

1.

Man Putting Child Into Oven

Do Not Visit Any Pub Or Restaurant Where You Cannot See The Kitchen.

Source: bl.uk

2.

Woman Setting Windmill On Fire

Indulge Your Inner Fire Bug By Igniting Local Windmills And One-Legged Steampunk Musicians.

Source: bl.uk

3.

Geese Hanging Fox

Watch Predator Become Prey When Geese Attack.

Source: bl.uk

4.

Castle Flanked By Grotesques

It Is Polite To Tip, But Not Stare At, These 100% Real Creature Performers That Really Existed In The 12th Century Lest They Surround Your Lodgings And Berate You With Off-Key Ballads.

Source: bl.uk

5.

Grotesques Fighting Over Mermaid

Don’t Miss The Humorous Mermaid Fights Every Saturday. Silly Cat-Butt Man, Fish Aren’t Weapons!

Source: bl.uk

6.

Man Attacking Butterfly

Butterflies Are A Danger To You And Your Loved Ones. Do Not Approach. Report All Suspicious Butterfly Activity To Your Local Knight.

Source: bl.uk

7.

Seated Rabbit With Scroll In Mouth

Heed The Sage Wisdom Of An Ancient Rabbit…

Source: bl.uk

8.

Rabbit Beheading Man

Or Don’t And Suffer The Consequences!

Source: bl.uk

9.

Nursing Woman On Stilts

Local Customs May Appear Strange. Do Not Openly Mock Them…

Source: bl.uk

10.

Three Skeletons

Unless You Want Them To Sick Skeletal Plague Zombies On You.

Source: bl.uk

11.

Man Riding Lion

Lion Riding Is A Popular(?) Pastime But Amateurs Should Procede With Caution…

Source: bl.uk

12.

Man Cutting Leg Off With Axe

Because Modern Medicine Has Not Yet Been Invented And Unlike The Natives, You Do Not Bleed Sweet, Delicious Honey.

Source: bl.uk

13.

Ducks Dragging Coffin Towards Rock

Though If The Worst Should Happen, Be Sure To Request The Duck Funeral Procession.

Source: bl.uk

14.

Naked Hermit On A Leash

Stop By The Local Gift Shop And Pick Up Your Very Own Naked, Hairy Hermit.

Source: bl.uk

15.

Grotesque Pursuing Man(?)

Or Opt For A More Old-Fashioned Abduction.

Source: bl.uk

16.

Man Leaving Building Carrying Door

If A Pet Is Too Much Hassle, Thieving Doors From The Dreaded Giraffe King Is The Next Best Thing.

Source: bl.uk

17.

Two Knights Fighting Over Possession Of A Hound

But Whatever Souvenir You Opt For, Under No Circumstances Should You Engage In Mortal Combat Over The Possession Of A Dog.

Source: bl.uk

18.

Angel And Devil Watched By Nun

DO NOT BLINK.

Source: bl.uk

19.

Man Being Massaged

End Your Vacation With A Trip To The Massage Parlor. Happy Endings Extra.

Source: bl.uk

20.

Man And Large Snail

And Whatever You Do, Run The Hell Away From Monster Snails.

Source: bl.uk